Means for electroplating pipe, &amp;c.



L. A. WILLIAMS. MEANS FOR ELEGTROPLATING PIPE, m.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19, 1909.;

Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

m 7 -"ka I IZI "ll I I El L. A. WILLIAMS. MEANS FOR ELEGTROPLATING PIPE, am.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19, 1908.

Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

3 SHEETs-SHEET 2.

VIII/II/II/I/ll/I/II/I/ E WI 1155555 Inven ur MWM L. A. WILLIAMS.

1 MEANS FOR ELEGTROPLATING PIPE, &n.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19, 1908. 951 ,265, Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L L L E E 1 i l I I 1 V/IIIIEEEIES L DIEHYAEHIUTJIIEEi- UNITED sTA Es LYNN A. WILL IAMS, OF EVANSTON, ILLiNOITb, ASSIGNOR. TO DANTEL I-IAYES MURPHY,

PATENT onmon.

OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

MEANS FOR. ELEG'lROPLATING PIPE, dic.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LYNN A. WILLIAMS,- a citizen of the United States, residing at Evan'ston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and Improved Means for Elect1oplating .Pipe,-&c.,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for electroplating rod or pipe, and has for its object thefs'impliiication of the mechanism required for this purpose, and I also secureby my improved apparatus results not heretofore attained.

In the past it has been Customary to place the rods or pipe to be plated in a suitable tank for containing the electroplating solution, and to move the rods '01 pipe either continuously or reciprocally in the solution, and to use auxiliary-apparatus for preventing the unequal deposit -of the material used in the plating operation upon different portions of the rodor pipe.

By my invention I make use of the means used for imparting motion to the rods or pipe in the tank to displace them in two directions, as a result of which the auxiliary apparatus heretofore used forsecuring this result is dispensed with.

Injthe preferred embodimentof my invention I impart to the'rods or pipe whenin place in the plating tank a reciprocating plating tank'as a direct result of the recip rocating motion communicated to the rods or pipe, and without the use of any addi tional apparatus; I

' The several drawings illustrating-my invention are as follows i Figure I is -a top viewof a plating tank containing apparatus for supporting the rods or pipe in proper position to be plated. as'well'as the mechanism employed to equalizethedeposit on the surface .of the rods or pipe; Fig. 2 is asectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, taken along the dotted Specification of Letters Patent.

- Application filed June -19. 1908. Serial No. 439,323.

Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

along the line w -y of the parts shown in 'Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View of the pipe and internal anode, showing the means-employed for securingthe terminal of the electric circuit to the'internal anodes such internal anodes; Fig. 5 shows in-end view the clamping member used to engage the internal anodes shown in Fig. 4; and Figs; 6 and 7 show, in views similar to Figs.

accordance with my invention.

- Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. I

,Referring to the drawings,T is a tank for holding the electrolyte used in'the op- -lyte being indicated by the dotted line 2 in Fig. 2. In this electrolyte, conductors g incasd on'all except the upper surfaces by supporting and insulating bars h are adapted to move transversely of the tank upon suitable rollers t supported by brackets t from the tank -T. These conductors g and the bars attached to them are secured at one end to bent bars m slidably supported gaged at their outer ends by connecting rods n, which serve to communicate ,motionto such bent bars from crank disks 8 supported by shaft '8 in suitable bearings 8 This shaft 8 may be driven by any suitablemeans, as pulley 'w, in a manner not indicated. The conductors g are adapted to support the rods 1'1 rand the pipe 79 that it is. desired to plate. L Pins '1) of insulating "material,

from the'cross bars (l secured to the bottom of the tank T. The rods and pipe are so disposed on the conductors g and between relatively to the supporting conductors 9. As a result of the constructionxjust described, it will be observed that when the shaft s back and forth and tend to carry the rods and pipe supported thereon with them, but since-this motion is opposed by the pins 6,

with practically nolateral displacement of the samein the tank T. As a result of the oblique inclination of the rods and -.pipe relatively to the conductors g, a further reand for preventing longitudinal motion of in bearings from the tank T, and are enpreferably of wood, are located between the. several rods and pipe, and are supported" the result is to rotate these rods and pipe l line 00-3 Fig. 3 isa sectional viewtaken 1 and 3, a modified form of-apparatus in eratio n, the upper surface of this electrothe pins 1) as to occupy. an oblique position is rotated'the conductors 9 will be moved vsult of the reciprocating motion imparted to the conductors g is a slight longitudinal motion of the rods and pipe upon the conductors g as such rods and pipe are rotated.

As a result of this longitudinal motion, the pins 6 and the conductors g are caused to mak contact with the pipe at diflerent p'ortions of its length, thus providing that the plating operation may take place at all points on the surface of the rods or pipe, and thus not be interfered with bythe contact between the pins 6 or the conductors g and the rods and pipe.

Sui'talo'leanodesa aredisposed beneath the rods and pipe to be plated, and are supported in proper position-in the electrolyte by means of blocks 0 from the bottom of the tank T. In order to plate the portion of the pipe engaged by-the conductors g, anodes a are disposed in the electrolyte above the pipe and above the conductors g. To efiect the plating of the inside of the pipe, internal anodes a are used, extending from one end of the pipe to the other and rigidly secured as indicated at e to one terminal of the circuit used. for supplying the current required. This securing means.

is more clearly indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, and consists, as indicated, in eccentricaily pivoted levers 6 adapted to clamp the electrodes a firmly in contact with the common bar 6.. In order to prevent the internal anodes a from making electrical contact with the pipe 79, a strip of insulation, as a consisting of twine, india rubber or s1m1lar' current, the circuit from which is as follows:

beginning at the positive terminal of such generator, through the conductor 1, switch 4, regulating resistance It, positive bus bars 3, to the several anodes au a through the electrolyte to the pipe, thence to the conductors g, and returning by negative bus bar 2 to the generator.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the apparatus is similar to that already described, with the exception that the con ductors g are rigidly supported from the plating tank T, while the pins are supported in such a manner that they may be moved reciprocally in a direction laterally of the rods or pipe supported by the conductors g. In this modification the pins 6 are secured to a bar (P, which in turn is carried by a frame (Z supported by rollers 16 I modification the frames d are connected together at their outer ei by a rod 8 coin nected by connecting'ro s n with the crank d sks 8. As the pulley w is rotated, the

bars (Z are moved reciprocally and laterally rodsand pipe are resting upon the fixed conductors g, rotation is reciprocally imparted to the rods and pipe, and since these rods and pipe are obliquely disposed relative to the conductors g, as described above, a reit is' to be understood that if, for any reason,

it were desirable to dispense either with the inside or the outside supports, this might be done,'although'I findit preferable to support the frames as indicated. a i

While I have shown my invention in the particular embodiment herein described. I

do not, however, limit myself to this construction, but may employ any equivalent construction that will suggest itself to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is 1. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of elecof. the tank T, as a result of which, since the tric energy, means for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and means for rotating the rods or pipe without displacing them laterally relatively to such tank, such rotating means constituting a means for moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tank.

2. As a means, for electroplatingrods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and means for recipro cally rotating the rods on pipe without displacing them laterally relatively to such tank, such rotating means constituting a means for moving the rodsor pipe longitu- 1 dinally in the tank.

3. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, means for preventing lateral motion ofthe rods or pipe in such tank, a circuit from such source through .such anode, such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and means for rotating the rods or pipe, such rotating means constitutin a means for moving'the rods or pipe longitudinally in the-tank.

v 4. As a means fonelectroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, means for preventing lateral motion of the rods or pipe, in such tank, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the

" rods or pipe and such conductors, and means formoving such conductors, such conductors constituting a means for moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in thetank. Y

5. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, stops for limitingthe lateral motion of the rods or pipe in the tank, a circuit'from such sourc-e through such anode, such electrolyte, the rodsor pipe and such c.onductors, and means for producing a relative motion between such conductors and such stops, such relative motion resulting in a longitudinal motion of the rods or plpe in ,-the tank,

6. As a means for electroplating rods or .pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an

anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the rods or pipe and such condu'ctors, means for reciprocally moving such conductors. laterally of the rods or pipe, and means for preventing lateraldisplacement' of-the rods or pipe, such preventlng means causing the rods or pipe toirotat'e as such conductors are moved reciprocally, such conductors and such preventing means together constituti means for moving the-rods-or pipe longil iidinally in' the tank.

7. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of elec- -tric energy, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte,a circuit, from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the rods or pipe and such con-- ductors, stops for limiting the lateral motion of the rods or-pipe in the tank, and means for producing a relative reciprocating motion between such conductors and such stops, such relative motion resulting in a longitudinal motion of the rods or pipe inthe tank, v I

8. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode adapted to be contained within the pipe in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means for supporting the pipe in ,esnees tating means constituting a means for movsuch electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anode", such electrolyte and the pipe, means-for preventing contact between such anodeand the pipe,.and means for rotating the pipe relatively to such anode, such rotating means constituting a means for, moving the pipe longitudinally relatively to such interiial anode.

As a means for electroplating'pipe, a. tank and an electrolyte therein containing the material to be deposited, a conducting} anode of another material than that contained in such electrolyte and ada ted to becontained within the-pipe in suc electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means for supporting the pipein .such ele tr olyte, a

circuit from such source through such an ode, such electrolyte and the pipe, means for preventing electrical contact betweiin such anode and the pipe, and means for rotating the pipe relatively to such anode, such. anode serving to equalize the, deposit upon the pipe, such rot-atin means constituting a means for moving t e pipe longitudinally relatively to such internal anode,

10. As a means for electroplatingpipe, a

tank and; an electrolyte therein contamln'g the material to be deposited, a conducting anode of another material than-that -con-- tained in such electrolyte and adapted to be contained within the pipe in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means for supporting the, pipe in such electrolyte, a

circuit from such sourc'e through such anode, such electrolyte and the pipe, means for preventing electricalcOntact between such anode and the pipe, means for rotating the pipe relatively to such anode, such' anode servin to equalize the deposit upon .the pipe, and detachable means securmg such anode to a conductor of suchthrough such anodes, such electrolyte and the-p1pe, and means for rotating the pipe relatively to such internal anode,'such roing the pipe longitudinally relatively to such internal anode.

12. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an .anode adapted to be contained Within the pipe in such electrolyte, an anode in such electrolyte outside of the .pipe, a source of electric energy, conductors for supporting the pipe 1n through such anodes, such electrolyte, the

such electrolyte, a circuit from such source pipe and suchconductors, means for reciprocally moving .such conductors laterally of the pipe, and means for preventing lateral motion of the pipe in suchtank whereby the motion of such 'conductorsfrotates the pipe, such conductors and 'suchpreventing means constituting a means for moving the pipe longitudinally in the tank.

13. As a means for-electroplating pipe, a tank andTan electrolyte therein, an anode adapted to be contained Within the pipe in such electrolyte, an anode in such electrolyte outside of the pipe, a source of electric energy, conductors for supportingthe pipe in such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such conductors, such electrolyte, the pipe and such conductors, means for reciprocally moving such conductors laterally of the pipe, stops ftor limiting thelateral' motion of thepipe in the tank, andmeans for producin a relative rotation between such conductorsand such stops,'such rela-. tive motion resulting in a longitudinal motion of the pipe in the tank:

14. As a means for electro 'ilating 'rods or I pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an

anode. in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means obliquely disposed rela tively to the rodsor pipe for supporting them in such electrolyte, a circuit from such sourcethrough such anode, such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and means for rotating the rods or pipe Without displacing them lat erally relatively to ,such tank, such supporting means constituting ameans'for moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tank.

15. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an

anode in such electrolyte, a source of elec-" tric energy, means obliquely disposed relatively to the rods or pipe'for supporting them in uch electrolyte, means for preventing lateral motion of the rods or pipe in such tank, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and means for rotating the rods or pipe, suchsupporting means constituting a means for noving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tank.

16. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte thcrem, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, conductors obliquely dispzisedrelatively to the re ls or pipe for supporting them in such elect'lolyte, means for preventing lateral motion of .the rods or pipe in such tank, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the rods or pipe and such conductors, and means for moving such conductors, such conductors constituting a means for moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tank.

17. As a means for. electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of elec in the tank, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the

' rods or pipe and such conductors, and means for producing a relative motion between such conductors and such stops, such conductors and such stops together constituting a means for moving the rodsor tudinally in the tank. i

18. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, conductors obliquely disposed relatively to the rods or pipe for supporting them in such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the rods or pipe and such conductors, means for reciprocally moving such conpipe longiductors laterally of the rods or pipe, and

means for preventing lateral displacement of the rods or ipe, such preventing means causing the rocs or pipe to rotate as such conductors are moved reciprocally, such conductors and such preventing means together constituting a means for moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tank.

19. As a means for electrbplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, conductors obliquely disposed relatively to the rods or pipe for supporting them in such electrolyte, a circuit "from such source through such anode, such electrolyte, the rods or pipe and such conductors, stops for limiting the lateral motion of the rods or pipe in the tank, and means for producing a relative reciprocating motion between such conductors and such stops, such steps causing the rods or pipe to rotate as such conductors are moved reciprocally, such conductors and such steps together constituting a means for reciprocally moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tank.

20. As a means torelectroplating pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode adapted to be contained Within the pipe in such electrolyte, a source of electric ei'iergy, means obliquely disposed relatively to the pipe for supporting them in such electro lyte, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte and the pipe, means for preventing contact between such anode and the pipe, and means for rotating the pipe relatively to such anode, such supporting means constituting a means for moving the pipe longitudinally in the tank.

21. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode adapted to be contained Within the. pipe in such electrolyte, an anode in such electrolyte outside of the pipe, a source of electric en ergy, conductors ("obliquely disposed tet tively to the pipe for supfporting them in such electrolyte, acircuit om-such source through such anodes, such electrolyte,the pipe and such conductors, means for reciprocally moving such conductors laterally of the pipe, andmeans for preventing lateral motion of the pipe in such tank whereby the motion of such conductors rotates the pipe, such conductors and-such preventing means together constituting a means for moving the pipe longitudinally in thetank.

22. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, an anode adapted to be contained Within the pipe in said electrolyte, an anode in sfich electro-- lyte outside of the pipe, a source of electric energy, conductors obliquely disposed relatively to the pipe for supporting them in such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anodes, such electrolyte, the pipe and such conductors, stops for limit ing the lateralmotion of the pipe in the tudinally in the solution-L tank, and means for producing a relative reciprocating motion between such -conductors andsuch'stops Whereby'the pipe are rotated, such conductors and such stops together constitutinga means for reciprocally moving the pipe longitudinally in the tank. l

.23. As a means for equalizing the thickness of plating electrolytically deposited.

upon rods or pipe, means for supporting the rods or pipe in. the plating solution, and a common means for simultaneously rotating" the rods or pipeand moving them longi- 2% As a meanstor equalizing the thickness of plating electrolytically deposited uponrods or pipe, means obliquely; disposed relatively to the rods or pipe for supporting them in the plating solution, and a common means for simultaneously rotating the rods or pipe and moving them longitudinally in the solution. a

25. As a means for equalizing the thickness of plating electrolytically deposited upon rods or pipe, means obli uely disposed relatively to the rods or pipe, or supporting,

them in theplating solution, and a common means for simultaneously rotating the rods or pipe reciprocally and moving them longitudinally in the solution. f

26. As a means for equalizing the thickness of plating electrolytically deposited upon rods or pipe, means.obliquely'disposecl relatively to the rods or pipe for supportingthem' in the plating solution, and means for rotating such rods or pipe on such supports, the obliquity of such supports serving to impart longitudinal motion to such rods or pipe as they are rotated.

.27. As a means for equalizing the thick- .ness of plating electrolytically deposited upon rods or pipe, means obliquely-disposedrods, cranks and a drivin therewith, stops supported limiting the lateral motion of the rods or pipe in the solution, the oblique arrangepipe, a tank containing a plating solution,

conductors located laterally across the bottom of such tank for supporting the rods or pipe obliquely'thereon in the plating sblution, anodes of the-material to be depositedlocated inv the-solution beneath the rods or pipe, a circuit 'from a source of electric energy through suchanodes, solution and such rods or pipe, means for reciprocating such conductors consisting in connecting 1 shaft associated by the tank for ment of the rods or pipe. serving to impart thereto a reciprocating longitudinal motion 'as the supporting conductors are reciprocated.

' 29. As a means for electroplating pipe, a

tank containing a plating solution, conductors supported laterally of the itankand.

adapted in turn tosup ort. the? pipe obliquely thereon in the so ution, internalanodes ofi a material other -than that to be deposited located in the pipe in the solution, means for preventing electrical contact between the anodes and'the pipe',-Lfremovable means for preventing rotation ot the in-.

,ternal anodes, means for preventing' longitudinal motion of the internal anodes, a c1r'-,

' cuit from a source of electric-energy through such anodes, solution and such pipe, means in connecting rods, cranks and a drivin for reciprocating such-conductors consisting shaft associated-therewith, stops supporte I o' by the tank for limiting the lateral motion of the pipe in the solution, the oblique arrangement of the pipe servin thereto a reciprocating lon'gitu inal motion relatively to the internal anodes as the sup porting conductors are. reciprocated;

30. As ameans for electroplating pipe, a

tank containing a plating solution, lateral conductors supported from. the bottom of the tank and supporting obliquely thereon in turn in'the solution the pipe to be plated, anodes of the material tobe deposited 10- cated in the solution below the pipe,internal anodes of another material thanu that to be deposited located in the pipe infthe solu-.

tion, insulating means surroundingthe internal, anodes to prevent electrical contact between such anodes and the p1pe,external to iinpart I anodes'orf the material to be deposited located in the solution over the lateral conductors and'the pipe, a circuitfrom a source of electric energy through such anodes, so-

lution, pipe and such conductors, means for connecting rods, cranks and a driving shat't associated therewith, stops supported by the tank for limiting the lateral motion of the pipe in the solution and for separating the pipe from each other, the oblique arrangement of the pipe serving to impart thereto a 1 reciprocating longitudinal motion relatively to the internal. anodes and to the tank as the supporting conductors are reciprocated.

"31. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte thereln, an

anode in such electrolyte, a source of electric energy, means. for supporting the rods or pipe 1n such electrolyte, a circuit from such source through such anode, such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and common means i for rotating the rods or pipe and moving% 0 the same longitudinally in'the tank.

32. As a means for electroplating rods or l pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, a source of electric energy, means for supporti ing the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, a

such electrolyte and the rods or pipe, and means for rotating the rods or pipe and for moving the same longitudinally in the tank Without displacing them laterally.

As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank and an electrolyte therein, means for supporting the rods or pipe in such electrolyte, and means for moving the rods or pipe longitudinally in the tankby rotating them.

E In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 16th day of June, A. D. 1908.

LYNN A. WILLIAMS.

. Witnesses:

LEONARD, W. Nov-Anorak, Jenn C. MICHAEL.

circuit from such source through said anode 

